The research group SOLDAMAT-Welding and Joining Technology and Metallurgy Group dwells in welding and related subjects such as: welding metallurgy, phase transformation, structural integrity of welds, computer modeling and welding processes. The group is associated with the Brazilian Institute for Material Joining and Coating Technologies (INTM) and the leader of research group is linked to the Department of Mechanical Engineering of Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE). The collaborating team is made up of professors, graduate students and undergraduate students. In addition, the group has the support of other UFPE research teams, as well as partnerships with other institutions and companies.

Our labs are designed to promote and support learning processes in the following undergraduate courses: Materials Engineering and Mechanical Engineering. Our facilities offer advanced multi-process welding equipment; contemplating conventional welding processes such as SMAW, GMAW, FCAW / MCAW, SAW and GTAW; and non-conventional processes as Dynamic Feed TIG and Laser Beam Welding (LBW). Additionally, plasma cutting machines and plasma transfer arc (PTA) are tools available to our team. All these processes are commonly used in the metallurgical, shipbuilding, gas and oil, automotive and aeronautics/aerospace industries. Our laboratory also contains tubular furnaces and muffle furnaces for kinetic studies of phase transformations. We are also prepared to do pre and post welding heat treatments.

The group has been conducting research activities since 2015 in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and has overcome many challenges. Since 2018, the activities of our work center have been relocated to the Brazilian Institute for Material Joining and Coating Technologies (INTM), in laboratories numbers 13, 14, 18 and 21 occupying approximately 300 m². The new facilities have provided more space, more innovative tools and technologies for our members, enhancing our performance and increasing our research potential and now being multi-user. SOLDAMAT is integrated by undergraduate and postgraduate students and professors, involving Mechanical Engineering and Aerospace Engineering, and Materials Science Graduate programs.